Syndi Powell - Risk of Falling

Grief doesn’t come with a deadline…

She’s got thirty days to clean up her mother’s neglected home or she’ll lose it. That’s all city code inspector Will Stone has given her. And it’s not nearly long enough for Suzy Bylin to sort through the lifetime of old treasures and broken keepsakes she’s inherited.

Desperate to keep the place, Suzy must steel herself against the feeling that every time she throws something away, she’s getting rid of a memory of her mom. When she can no longer do it on her own, she has nobody to turn to but Will. And if she can help him through his own family crisis, maybe together they can find more than mutual support and friendship….

“So just do it. Post the sign.”

“Suzy, I never meant for this to happen.”

Her dad had never meant to leave her. Mama had never meant to die. To leave her this mess to deal with. She knew all about people letting her down. Why should Will be any different? “I know. Just put the sign up.”

He walked to his car and returned with a bright yellow sign. Used a marker to date it and put her address on it. Then he taped it to the front door.

No entry.

He sighed as he placed the last piece of scotch tape on the corner of the sign and stepped back. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Why do you care?”

He dropped his hands to his sides. “Because you matter. You mean more to me than some job.”

“But the job came first today, didn’t it?” Suzy shook her head. “Just forget it.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN EPILOGUE Copyright ,

Welcome back to Lake Mildred! The grandmother that I named this fictional town after recently passed away, but before she did I was able to give her a copy of my first book and share with her how I used names in the family in my story. Her eyes lit up when I mentioned ones that were familiar to her. I’ve continued that tradition with using names of family and friends in this book, but the characters are not like their real counterparts. Well, not all of them anyways….

There are reasons for why we keep people from getting too close to us. It could be the fear of getting hurt, being rejected or left behind—to name a few. Some folks use things or rules to build barriers around themselves. Suzy and Will each grew up with parents who fell into these categories, and now they’re struggling with the reality of trying not to follow in those footsteps. Ultimately, patterns can be broken and love found.

I hope you enjoy our return to Lake Mildred. I’d love to connect with you on Facebook ( facebook.com/syndipowellauthor) or Twitter ( @syndipowell).

Syndi Powell

Risk of Falling

Syndi Powell

www.millsandboon.co.uk

SYNDI POWELL

started writing stories when she was young, eager to find out what happened after the happily-ever-after in her favorite books, and has made it a lifelong pursuit. She’s been reading Mills & Boon romance novels since she was in her teens and is thrilled to join the Mills & Boon team. She lives near Detroit with her husband, stepson and a cat and dog who believe they run the household. She loves to connect with readers on Twitter, @syndipowell, or on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/syndipowellauthor.

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This book is dedicated with much love to my husband, Jim, who encouraged me to send the first book in to Mills & Boon. You’ve believed in me, cleaned house and put up with fast food dinners while I was on deadline, and celebrated every step in this journey. There have been those who have doubted our love story, but the proof is in the partnership we’ve created. Each day we get closer to our dreams.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Grief doesn’t come with a deadline… She’s got thirty days to clean up her mother’s neglected home or she’ll lose it. That’s all city code inspector Will Stone has given her. And it’s not nearly long enough for Suzy Bylin to sort through the lifetime of old treasures and broken keepsakes she’s inherited. Desperate to keep the place, Suzy must steel herself against the feeling that every time she throws something away, she’s getting rid of a memory of her mom. When she can no longer do it on her own, she has nobody to turn to but Will. And if she can help him through his own family crisis, maybe together they can find more than mutual support and friendship….

Introduction “So just do it. Post the sign.” “Suzy, I never meant for this to happen.” Her dad had never meant to leave her. Mama had never meant to die. To leave her this mess to deal with. She knew all about people letting her down. Why should Will be any different? “I know. Just put the sign up.” He walked to his car and returned with a bright yellow sign. Used a marker to date it and put her address on it. Then he taped it to the front door. No entry. He sighed as he placed the last piece of scotch tape on the corner of the sign and stepped back. “Are you going to be okay?” “Why do you care?” He dropped his hands to his sides. “Because you matter. You mean more to me than some job.” “But the job came first today, didn’t it?” Suzy shook her head. “Just forget it.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN EPILOGUE Copyright , Welcome back to Lake Mildred! The grandmother that I named this fictional town after recently passed away, but before she did I was able to give her a copy of my first book and share with her how I used names in the family in my story. Her eyes lit up when I mentioned ones that were familiar to her. I’ve continued that tradition with using names of family and friends in this book, but the characters are not like their real counterparts. Well, not all of them anyways…. There are reasons for why we keep people from getting too close to us. It could be the fear of getting hurt, being rejected or left behind—to name a few. Some folks use things or rules to build barriers around themselves. Suzy and Will each grew up with parents who fell into these categories, and now they’re struggling with the reality of trying not to follow in those footsteps. Ultimately, patterns can be broken and love found. I hope you enjoy our return to Lake Mildred. I’d love to connect with you on Facebook ( facebook.com/syndipowellauthor ) or Twitter ( @syndipowell ). Syndi Powell

Title Page Risk of Falling Syndi Powell www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author SYNDI POWELL started writing stories when she was young, eager to find out what happened after the happily-ever-after in her favorite books, and has made it a lifelong pursuit. She’s been reading Mills & Boon romance novels since she was in her teens and is thrilled to join the Mills & Boon team. She lives near Detroit with her husband, stepson and a cat and dog who believe they run the household. She loves to connect with readers on Twitter, @syndipowell , or on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/syndipowellauthor.